Track-lifter



(No Model.)

J. D. WILTPONG.

TRACK LIFTBR. Y*

No. 401,236. Patented Apr. 9,v1889 orney N. mina Phon-utmgnprw. whington. Dfc.

UNITED STATES PATENT rricn.

JAMES D. VILTFONG, OF HYDE, COLORADO.

TRACK-LIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,236, dated April 9, 1889.

Application filed November l, 1888. Serial No. 289,738. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES D. lVILTFONG, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Hyde, in the county of Washington and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Track-Lifters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of devices known as track-litters and designed for lifting the rails and ties of a section of track for tainping, die.

The Yobject of this invention is to avoid a multiplicity of parts in the construction of a cheap and durable tool of this character. The invention consists in novel features of construction and combinations, to be described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a track-lifter embody ing my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section showing the construction and operation of the spring-pawl. Fig. 3 is ad rear elevation of the lever and its spring-pawl.

The base or shoe A is a flat rectangular piece slightly tapered toward the front to admit of its being the more easily thrust beneath a rail, and provided about midway of its length with two upwardly-projecting wings, A', arranged parallel with each other and provided with circular openings forming bearings for the fulcrum-bolt B of the lever O. The tops of these wings are segmental, the arc being drawn from the center of the bearing of the fulcrurn-bolt B, and are provided with rearwardly-inclined teeth c', to engage the end of a spring-pawl, c, secured to the lever O.

The lever O has practically the general forni of an ordinary claw-bar, and is provided just above the toe with an opening, in which the iulcrum-bolt B is fitted, a plate-spring, c', being secured at its upper end to the shank of the lever at a proper distance above the upper edges of the wings A', the lower end of said spring being secured to the outer face of the pawl c. This pawl is of V shape, the upper ends thereof rising past the upper end of the spring c', and being turned outward to form footholds c2 on either side of the lever, and the lower end is extended at the center to play between the wings A and prevent accidental displacement.

Owing to the peculiar form and arrangement of the pawl it will sustain heavy weights though constructed of a comparatively light plate of metal, as it is not pivoted on a pin, but is held flat against the face of the shank of lever O by its supporting-spring.

I prefer to construct the shoe A and its wings A in a single piece or casting oi' malleable iron and to form the lever of two sections connected together by a slip-joint, as shown. The rear end of the shoe is provided with a bail, to afford facility for handling and for drawing or moving from place to place.

I claiml. The combination, substantially as described, of the shoe provided with wings having toothed segments on their upper edges, a lever fulcrumed between said wings, and a spring-pawl secured to the shank of the lever to engage the teeth of the segments.

2. The combination, substantially as described, of the shoe provided with wings having toothed segments on their upper edges, a lever fulcrumed between said wings, a spring secured at its upper end to the shank of the lever, and a pawl secured to the lower end of the spring. v

3. The combination, substantially as described, of the shoe provided with wings having toothed segments on their upper edges, a lever fulcrumed between said wings, a spring secured at its upper end to the shank of the lever, and a V-shaped pawl secured at its lower end to the lower end of the spring and provided at its upper end with footholds extending outwardly Jfrom the lever.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES n. wiL'rFoNe.

lVitnesses:

N. M. G. UsrIoK, 0. M. GOLDSBERRY. 

